Bat.



Patented Doc. 23, 1902.

J. A. HILLERICH.

BAT.

(Application filed Oct. 31, 1902.)

(No Model.)

' ames.-

\ no" WASHINGTON o c Unirrnn dramas PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN A. HILLERIOH, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.

BAT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 716,541, dated December 23, 1902. Application filed October 31, 1902. Serial No. 129,592. (No model.)

To all 1077/07, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN A. HILLERICH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Louisville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Kentucky,have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Bats; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull,clear,and eX- act description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in base-ball bats and in the process or method of producing the same, and has for its objects to harden the surface of the bat and promote its ball-driving quality, while the full elasticity of the wood in the body of the bat is preserved; also, to preserve the bat from checking, chipping, or splintering on its surface from exposure to the sun or Weather; also, to improve the finish and appearance of the hat by the same means which increases its above-mentioned useful qualities.

The invention consists in a base-ball bat having its substance at the surface of its driving portion hardened for the purpose of attaining the above-mentioned desirable results.

In order to make the invention more clearly understood, I have shown in the accompanyingdrawings means for carrying the same into practical efiect without limiting my improvements in their useful applications to the particular construction and procedure,which for the sake of illustration I have delineated. I

In said drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of a bat being treated according to myinvention. Fig. 2 is a side view of a finished bat embodying the invention. Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the same, on a larger scale, on line III, Fig. 2.

Referring to the drawings, A isa base-ball bat, having the driving-body a and handle ct. This is shown as formed of one solid piece of ash or equivalent suitable wood; but my invention, relating more particularly to the surfacing of the bat, is not dependent on the solidity or integral character of the same, but may be applied in bats of'sectional or hollow construction. After the bat A has been turned to the desired form the surface of the driving part a is hardened,

smoothed, and finished at the same time by the application of friction and heat. This is effected by applying to the bat While it is still in the turning-lathe and rotated at .a speed of, say, three thousand five hundred revolutions a minute the end surface of a strip 13 of black walnut or equivalent Wood of sufficient hardness and preferably of a dark color. Such mode of application is shown in Fig. 1, the end of the strip B having a hollow at b to conform to the surface of the bat and being moved along the bat from end to end, while it is firmly pressed endwise against the revolving surface. This pressure, together with the speed of revolution, is sufficientto cause a degree offriction which burns, chars, hardens,

colors, smooths, and finishes the wood a of the surface of the striking part a of the bat, leaving the interior wood in its natural elastic condition. This hardening of the wood at a materially increases the driving power of the bat, giving an abrupt impact to the ball without any yielding or cushion-like action of the wood of the bat. Such hardening by charring friction also gives a pleasing black and dark-brown grained finish to the bat and increases its resistance to the weather and its durability.

While I ordinarily leave the handle a unhardened in its natural turned condition or wrapped for a hand-grasp,I may give the hardening finish to both the parts a and a.

I do not wish to be understood as claiming broadly the hardening of wood by frictional or other heat, as I am aware that this is heretofore known in the arts.

WVhat I claim isl. A base-ball hat of wood,having the wood a at and near the surface of the driving-body hardened, substantially as set forth.

2. A base-ball hat of wood, having the wood a at and near the surface of the driving-body charred and hardened by frictional heat, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN A. HILLERIOI-I.

Witnesses:

L. H. HERDT, J. H. AOKERMAN. 

